Birds in the news 13

Birds in the news 13

Each week we will be featuring amazing news stories from all corners of the British Isles and around the world about birds in the news. To read the full news story just click on the title of that article.

The robin has topped a poll of more than 200,000 people to choose the UK's first national bird. Ornithologist David Lindo - who launched the campaign - said the robin was "entwined into our national psyche" as a "Christmas card pin-up". He now plans to ask the government to officially recognise the robin as the national bird.

The red-breasted bird received 34% of votes, followed by the barn owl, which received 12%, and the blackbird, 11%.

BBC Springwatch presenter Mr Lindo began the project last year, saying Britain should have a national bird like many other countries.

More than 224,000 people voted online, at ballot boxes in schools and by post. The robin was initially selected - along with nine other birds - from a list of 60 in a preliminary vote. A ballot for the final 10 then opened to the British public in March.

Polling closed on the day of the general election, 7 May.

Other contenders included the wren, the red kite and the kingfisher - which came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

The mute swan came 7th in the vote, followed by the blue tit, the hen harrier and the puffin.

All across the country native birds of prey are bouncing back after centuries of persecution by mankind...

Which is a good thing, right?

Not if you’re favourite thing in life is a bird of prey’s favourite snack.

Pigeon fanciers all over the land are wringing their flat caps in despair at the rising numbers of the biggest culprits, sparrowhawks, which they say are taking about 75,000 birds a year.

A campaign, backed by former England footballer Gerry Francis, has been launched by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA), calling for laws to allow pigeon fanciers to trap sparrowhawks and relocate them.

“This year I’ve been losing birds every time when I let them out for a flight” - Mr Cowper

Among those affected by the hawks is Bill Cowper, secretary of Medway Two Bird Specialist Club, who has been racing pigeons for 50 years.

“It’s a big problem for pigeon fanciers,” said Mr Cowper, 72, who keeps his pigeons at his home in Cliffe Woods. “I’m losing three or four birds a week.

“It’s one of those problems that’s all over the country. It’s got out of hand.

“This year I’ve been losing birds every time when I let them out for a flight.”